From Narcissus falling in love with his own reflection to folkloric tales of characters haunted by shadows and the recurring trope of the evil twin in contemporary horror, the idea of a dual self is one that is deeply ingrained in cultural mythology. Often associated with the supernatural, the doppelgänger — an apparition that appears as a replica of another body and often symbolises a bad omen — is a figure that particularly confounds both the unsettling fears and innate fascination surrounding spirit doubles.
In an exclusive beauty editorial for SLEEK, New York-based photographer A. J. Song has incorporated concepts of duality and reflection and in a playful take on the idea of doppelgängers.
“When I was little, I fancied there was another me existed somewhere,” Song tells SLEEK of her fascination with the concept of alter egos. “Whenever I had a bad mood, I would go to the rooftop, facing the Moon, talking to the other self. This habit became a daily diary when I grow up. It calms me down.”
The photo story, entitled ‘Fairy Tale’, features visual symbols of temporality and distorted realities such as an hourglass and gravity-defying hair styles that reference “our imaginary world, rooted in memory, and from dreams…our unrealisable fantasy.”
The creative direction was partly inspired by a series of graphic, geometric images created by French artist Serge Lutens in a beauty campaign for Shiseido in the 1980s. “Inspired by the theatrics and playfulness of works by Lutens, I implemented this story, in which the self and the doppelgänger encountered and co-existed,” notes Song of her inspiration for the shoot. “The two are the day and night; the two are yin and yang; the two are are water and fire. It’s harmony and fearfulness.”
Set against a minimal backdrop, the twin figures are styled with graphic makeup, high-arched brows and citrus-coloured clothing, treading the line between innocent and sinister as they stare vacantly towards the lens.
“Although the word doppelgänger has some evil connotation, here I refer to its playfulness rather than a supernatural apparition,” considers the photographer. “Imagine your Puppy and Kitty has your body shape with the ability to speak your language.”
See more from the photo series below:
Credits:
PHOTOGRAPHER: AJuan Song
MAKEUP: Natalia Mejia @ Bryan Banty Agency
HAIR: Aziza Rasulova
SET ASSISTANT: Larrisa Nowak
MODELS: Leslie (Fenton Models) and Yuqi (Emg Models)